A land boundary dispute in Mbita Sub-county has ended in tragedy after a professor from the Technical University of Kenya was brutally killed on Friday. The victim, Prof. Tom Odhiambo, was hacked to death in broad daylight as he attempted to resolve a long-standing conflict over family land.
According to police and local administrators, Prof. Odhiambo had travelled to his rural home on Rusinga Island with his elderly father to meet the area chief and a land surveyor. The meeting was intended to officially demarcate boundaries on the disputed parcel of land, which had been the subject of disagreements with neighbouring landowners.
Before the talks could begin, two men reportedly confronted the professor and his father, accusing them of encroaching on their property. An argument broke out, during which one of the suspects is said to have drawn a panga and struck the professor on the head. The blow proved fatal, killing him instantly. His father, who tried to intervene, was also attacked and sustained injuries. He was later rushed to Mbita Sub-county Hospital, where he is recovering.
The professor’s body was moved to MED 25 Kirindo Mortuary under police escort as investigators launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Confirming the incident, Mbita Deputy Sub-county Commissioner Peter Mutiso said the professor had opted for legal and administrative channels to address the dispute, making his killing even more shocking. “They had gone there to sort land issues with the help of a surveyor and the area chief. It is very unfortunate that instead of allowing the matter to be resolved peacefully, the suspects resorted to violence,” Mutiso said.
The brutal killing has left the local community in shock. Residents described Prof. Odhiambo as a highly respected academic who had maintained strong ties with his rural home despite his professional commitments in Nairobi. “He was a humble man, a scholar who often encouraged young people to pursue education. Losing him in this manner is heartbreaking,” one resident said.
The incident has also reignited debate about the rising number of land-related conflicts in Homa Bay and other parts of Kenya. Land disputes remain one of the leading causes of violence in rural areas, often pitting family members, neighbours, or communities against each other. Authorities say many of these disputes stem from inheritance wrangles, unclear demarcation of ancestral land, and population pressure.
Local leaders and civil society groups have condemned the killing, calling for swift justice and urgent measures to prevent similar tragedies. Some have urged the government to strengthen community-based dispute resolution mechanisms and ensure surveyors and chiefs are adequately supported to mediate conflicts before they turn violent.
Police Commander William Letting assured residents that security officers are pursuing the suspects and will ensure they face the law. “We are treating this matter with urgency. No one should lose their life because of a land dispute. We will not rest until the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted,” he said.
As investigations continue, the case has drawn attention beyond Homa Bay, with members of the academic community mourning the loss of a colleague and mentor. Scholars at the Technical University of Kenya described Prof. Odhiambo as a dedicated educator whose life was cut short unnecessarily.
The killing underscores the need for stronger land management systems and conflict-prevention mechanisms to safeguard lives and protect communities. For now, Rusinga Island is grappling with the loss of one of its most distinguished sons, even as the pursuit for justice continues.
